Warhammer 40,000

Ciphers

Intelligence

Skill Groups: Xenos Markings, Deathwatch, Chapter Runes, Imperial Codes, Mercenary Cant, Inquisition, and Underworld Many groups and organisations employ ciphers as a secret shorthand code in communicating basic ideas, warnings, or information rapidly. The character can use and understand the signals, physical markings, or other subtle signs employed to express these concepts. Ciphers tend to express simple concepts or messages, such as warning of danger, marking a target, or indicating ownership. Skill Tests are not required to either leave or read basic messages but are necessary to communicate or decipher complicated meanings or signs obscured by the passage of time.

Xenos Markings: Many aliens, such as Orks, make extensive use of symbolism and icons. Understanding these markings allows a broad understanding of their meaning, such as where a tribe has marked its boundaries or areas they have marked as dangerous.

Deathwatch: Kill-teams often develop their own shorthand communication to allow them to converse quickly and secretively in the presence of others. This is especially useful when dealing with other arms of the Imperial war machine, where the goals of the Deathwatch may not coincide with those of the Imperial Guard or Navy.

Chapter Runes: Each Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes has its own form of ciphers used to communicate between its Battle-Brothers. These closely guarded secrets are almost never taught to those outside the Chapter and constitute a reliable way for those within the Chapter to quickly identify each other.

Imperial Codes: Both the Imperial Navy and the Imperial Guard employ a battle language which comprises mostly of numbers and acronyms. Incomprehensible to those who do not know its meaning, it allows them to quickly signal for reinforcements, identify enemies, and call down fire support.

Inquisition: Used to communicate a private and prearranged code between given agents of the Inquisition. Note that these codes are unique to specific Ordos within the Inquisition. This Skill Group applies to all ciphers used by acolytes and throne agents of the Inquisition.

Mercenary Cant: Many mercenary companies operate in the Imperium, and each has an abbreviated, clipped battle language for orders and commands. Though there are some commonalities, each is essentially unique.

Underworld: Crime lords have used ciphers since before the time of the Emperor, and their sophistication has only increased over time. Each organisation uses its own to deter competition.